THE winners of a competition for Stourbridge shops to decorate their windows for Remembrance Day have been announced.
The town’s military parade organiser David Spruce set up the competition with Pre-Metro group sponsoring the prizes.
The Mary Stevens Hospice shop won first prize and received £125 which will be donated to the hospice.
The judges – that included Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb - decided the hospice charity shop was the winner as the decorations had been sourced from people’s donations.
There was a set of tea cups and plates from the 1960s, army clothing and a poppy display.
Infinity Finance Advice won second prize and the third went to Thrift. Both received £30.
Five shops took part and the runners up were: VIPs hair salon and Eyewise Opticians.
WATCH: Stourbridge hosts military vehicle Remembrance parade
David Spruce thanked all those who took part and “made wonderful displays to show their support for the Remembrance period” and he added: “They have brightened up the town centre and sent a message that Stourbridge honours those who have served and died for our country and for its freedom over many years.”
Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb, who was one of the judges, said: “I really enjoyed judging the competition and the entries were all colourful and really went to the heart of what Remembrance is about.
“I thank everyone who took part and David for organising it and to Pre-Metro for generously supplying the prizes.”
The Stourbridge Military Vehicle Parade organised by Mr Spruce will take place on Saturday November 11 from midday, starting at the top of Stourbridge High Street.
It will wind through the town to the Bonded Warehouse in Canal Street where the vehicles will then be displayed until around 3.30pm.
Ahead of the big day, Mr Spruce arranged for some of the vehicles to stop off at Parkfield Grange care home in Stourbridge on November 6 – giving residents the chance to reminisce about a bygone era.
Carolyn Clegg, associate general manager at Parkfield Grange, said: “Many residents have direct connections to and memories of WWII, including a resident who was a former army serviceman, other residents worked as land girls during the war, another was a red cross nurse.”
Mr Spruce, who has exhibited his ex-military vehicles in Stourbridge for many years - raising money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, said: “Many in care home communities are unable to attend town centre parades and want to pay their respects to those who protected our country. It was my pleasure to bring my ex-military vehicles to Parkfield Grange.”
Resident, Adil Romaya, aged 81, said it was a “wonderful experience” – adding: “I'd quite like to go for a test drive. They are like vehicles I've saw as a child in Iraq."
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